Josh Vernier

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Herrera, Royals fall in Atlanta

by Josh Vernier,posted Apr 16 2013 10:06PM

-Royals (7-6) fell to Atlanta, 6-3, in the opener of a two-game series.

-Jeremy Guthrie brought his 2-0 record into the game, and looked to be on his way to a third victory. After setting the Braves down in order to start the game, Guthrie surrendered a solo home run to Juan Francisco in the 2nd. Francisco took a big cut at a 1-0 change-up, almost as if he was expecting a fastball, and smoked it down the right field line. I believe that is a foul ball 8 out of 10 times, but it stayed fair tonight.

-The Braves lead was short-lived. Chris Getz (1-for-4) led off the 3rd with his first home run as a member of the Royals.

-The Royals would take a 2-1 lead in the 4th. Salvador Perez (0-for-4) reached on a throwing error by Atlanta third baseman Juan Francisco. After a Mike Moustakas (1-for-4) single, Jeff Francoeur (2-for-4) came up and drove in Perez with a bullet up the middle.

-Kansas City led 2-1 until the 7th inning. Francisco connected on his 2nd home run of the game after Guthrie missed on an 0-1 fastball that was left over the middle. The game was tied headed to the 8th.

-Guthrie's day was done after seven. His final line showed 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

-In the 8th, Eric Hosmer (0-for-4) went down swinging to lead off. Perez flew out to right field on a terrific catch by Jason Heyward. Lorenzo Cain (2-for-4) hit a single to right field, bringing up Moustakas. Keep in mind, Billy Butler (0-for-1) was on the bench, but Moose was allowed to bat, and ended up striking out.

-I thought that was the key decision in the game. I would have pinch-hit Butler for Moustakas. I figure he's the best doubles hitter on the team and with Cain on first, a Billy double would have likely scored Cain. With Craig Kimbrel in the Atlanta pen, I looked at this as the Royals last, best chance.

-With Guthrie at 91 pitches, Ned Yost went to Kelvin Herrera in the 8th. Herrera got the lead-off man to ground out, but put home runs on a tee for Heyward and Justin Upton. Herrera's shaky location continued with a third solo home run in the inning to Dan Uggla. In total, Herrera would allow four runs in the inning, and the Royals trailed 6-2 with three outs left.

-In the 9th, Frenchy singled to lead-off. Getz hit into a fielder's choice. Billy Butler was summoned to pinch-hit in the pitcher's spot, but struck out. Alex Gordon (2-for-5), who has a 12-game hitting streak going, drove in Getz with a single to right field.

-That's as close as it would get. Alcides Escobar (0-for-5) grounded out to end the game.